Tag "gdp growth"

For weeks now, it looks like I have been wrong on my long bonds positions: the 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund (TLT) and the Vanguard Extended Duration Bond Fund (EDV). And I have been! But that may be changing. Specifically, the turn may have occurred last Thursday when TLT closed up 2% and EDV closed up 3%. It was equally encouraging that they didn’t correct on Friday. As I write this

The initial ‘advanced’ US GDP growth estimate for the first quarter of 2015 estimated that the economy grew at 0.2%. The second revision based on more accurate numbers indicated that in the first quarter the US gross domestic product actually contracted instead of growing; the number showed no growth and a decline of 0.7%. That is a significant difference from the Wall Street economists that have been predicting annual US

The major economic release last week was the second estimate of 2014’s fourth quarter and annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The GDP is “a measure of the value of the production of goods and services in the United States, adjusted for price changes.” The ‘first’ estimate that came out last month showed the economy growing 2.6% in the 4th quarter. This ‘second’ estimate (based on ‘more complete source data than was

Earlier today, the markets received word that 4th quarter GDP had been revised down from 2.6% to 2.2%. The 4th quarter GDP report was previously thought to be much higher (due to a strong 3rd quarter) before coming down over the past 2 months. The revised 4th quarter GDP number continues to show a stagnant economy, with slowing growth. The politicians like to take a single number for a quarter and

When you are managing your retirement portfolio, it makes sense to keep tabs on the economic factors that have reliable correlation to long term investment performance. Future stock market returns looking out 10 years or more are inversely related to market valuations. A low valuation implies higher long term returns and a high valuation historically leads to diminished portfolio returns. Peek into Warren Buffet’s investment playbook. He has an extremely

A few months ago, an entity I’ve been associated with was contemplating a major purchase to replace an older piece of machinery. The current asset was certainly usable and far from obsolete, but the “research” undertaken to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a new model proved a bit startling. The scrutiny to purchase fell to a simple analysis: that there was enough money available to make the purchase sitting in cash-equivalent

Earlier today, the Federal Reserve released the minutes from their last meeting, sending the market into its typical tizzy. Initially the market was down on rate hike concerns, but moments later it was up on an expanding economy and improving labor market. Yep, Mr. Market is going to do what he’s going to do and let everyone else spin it for what they think is going on. But behind the speculation,

On Wednesday morning, Investors will be greeted by 2nd quarter GDP data. As of right now, it is not a matter of whether there was Q2 GDP growth, but how much. And this has put the Fed (and economists and investors) in a bit of a pickle. Perhaps this is why the capital markets are acting up of late… Yesterday, fellow contributor Andrew Kassen and I talked about the upcoming

Are Q1’s Frigid Economic Performance And Resulting Fears of Recession About to Thaw in Light of a Sunny 2nd Quarter GDP Print? Will the Market Warm to a Positive Report; or Could July’s Gains Melt Away Instead? At 8:30 a.m. ET this Wednesday the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will release it’s Advance GDP reading for April-June 2014, the first of three monthly reports covering 2nd Quarter GDP. Despite Q1’s

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), made headlines recently by joining the chorus of analysts that have reduced the rosy outlook for the U.S. economy in 2014. The IMF reduced its U.S. GDP growth estimate to 2%, down from a 2.8% prediction as recently as April. Economists started the year predicting that that U.S. GDP would grow at a 3-3.5% annual rate. And they have been